UPSC Essay Paper 2025 PDF Steps to Download

UPSC Essay Paper 2025 held on 22 August in the first shift. Get paper analysis, key topics, and download the official UPSC Essay Paper 2025 PDF here.

UPSC Essay Paper 2025
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Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts the Civil Services Examination (CSE) every year, in which the Essay Paper plays the most important and decisive role. If you are preparing for the UPSC Essay Paper 2025, it is essential to understand its structure, syllabus, writing style, marking pattern, and previous year’s questions.

In this article, we will discuss the UPSC Essay Paper 2025 in detail and also provide instructions on how to download the UPSC Essay Paper 2025 PDF.

Also Read: UPSC Admit Card for Mains 2025

Importance of UPSC Essay Paper 2025

Here are the importance of UPSC Essay Paper 2025: 

  • UPSC Mains Exam essay paper totaled 250 marks.
  • The candidate has to write two essays – each essay carrying 125 marks.
  • Essay writing tests your thinking ability, language command, reasoning, creativity, and expression.
  • This paper has many times proved to be decisive in the final ranking of the candidate.
  • Trend Identification – It helps aspirants identify recurring themes such as governance, social justice, technology, women empowerment, environment, and education.
  • Topic Diversity – Questions often cover philosophy, abstract ideas, as well as current socio-economic and political challenges.
  • Answer Strategy – By analyzing past papers, candidates can learn how to structure arguments with balance and depth.
  • Practice Aid – Practicing essays on old topics improves writing speed, coherence, and originality.
  • Exam Readiness – It minimizes surprises during the actual exam, since many new topics are framed on lines similar to past ones.

Also Read: IAS Salary Per Month in India 2025

Particulars

Details

Exam Name UPSC Civil Services (Main) – Essay Paper 2025
Total Marks 250
Duration 3 Hours
Sections 2 (A & B)
Essays to Write 2 (one from each section)
Language English/Hindi (as per candidate’s choice)

Structure of UPSC Essay Paper 2025

Here is the structure of the UPSC Essay paper 2025: 

Features

Details

Paper  Paper I (Essay)
Exam Date 22 August 2025
Timing 9:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M.
Total Marks 250
Duration 3 Hours
Number of Questions
  • Section A- 4 Essay Topics
  • Section B- 4 Essay Topics
Nature of Paper Counted for the final merit list

Note: The essay must be written within the word limit, with clarity of language and logical flow.

Also Read: Important Topics for UPSC Mains 2025

UPSC Essay Paper 2025 PDF Download

UPSC Mains Essay Paper 2025 is scheduled on 22 August 2025 in the first shift. After the exam, candidates will be able to download the official PDF here. 

UPSC Essay Paper 2025 PDF Link

Possible Topics in UPSC Essay Paper 2025

Every year, UPSC essay topics are based on current events and philosophical perspectives. The possible topics in 2025 may be as follows:

  • Indian Economy and Global Scenario
  • Artificial Intelligence and its impact on human life
  • Democracy and civic engagement
  • Climate Change and Sustainable Development
  • The future of education in the digital age
  • Indian Culture and Global Values

Preparation Strategy for Essay Writing

Here is the Detailed preparation strategy for UPSC Essay Paper 2025: 

  • Do a detailed study– Read newspapers(The Hindu, Indian Express), Yojana, Kurukshetra magazines.
  • Make a habit of writing a diary– Make short notes on any current topic daily.
  • Introduction, body, and conclusion– The essay should always be in this structure.
  • Use of data and quotes– Include statistics and opinions from authentic sources.
  • Practice previous year papers– Practice with questions from UPSC Essay Paper 2023 and 2024.
  • Keep in mind the word limit– On average, it is appropriate to write an essay of 1000–1200 words.
  • Keep the language simple– Make the essay reader-friendly, clear, and logical.

Aspect

Details

Total Marks 250 (125 marks per essay)
Time Duration 3 hours
Sections Two sections (A & B), each with 4 essay options; pick one from each
Word Limit Approx. 1000–1200 words per essay
Evaluation Criteria Content quality, structure, clarity, language, balanced perspective

Previous Years UPSC Essay Paper Topics

UPSC essay is not only about information, but also about creative thinking and analytical skills. UPSC Mains Essay Paper plays a crucial role in the final merit list, as it tests not only the candidate’s knowledge but also their ability to present ideas logically, coherently, and creatively. To understand the pattern, depth, and type of topics that UPSC asks, going through the Previous Years’ Essay Topics is essential

Year Section A Topics Section B Topics
2025
  • सत्य कोई रंग नहीं जानता है।

      Truth knows no color.

  • बिना लड़े ही दुश्मन को परास्त करना युद्ध की सर्वोच्च कला है।

       The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting.

  • विचार एक दुनिया खोजता भी है और एक बनाता भी है।

      Thought finds a world and creates one also.

  • सबसे अच्छे सबक कड़वे अनुभवों से सीखे जाते हैं।

     Best lessons are learnt through bitter experiences.

  • गंदे पानी को अकेला छोड़ने से ही उसे सबसे अच्छा साफ किया जा सकता है।

        Muddy water is best cleared by leaving it alone.

  • वर्ष बहुत कुछ सिखाते हैं, जो दिन कभी नहीं जानते।

      The years teach much which the days never know.

  • जीवन को एक यात्रा के रूप में देखना सर्वोत्तम है, न कि एक गंतव्य के रूप में।

      It is best to see life as a journey, not as a destination.

  • संतोष प्राकृतिक संपत्ति है; विलासिता कृत्रिम निर्धनता है।

      Contentment is natural wealth; luxury is artificial poverty.

2024
  • Forests precede civilizations and deserts follow them.
  • The empires of the future will be the empires of the mind.
  • There is no path to happiness; Happiness is the path.
  • The doubter is a true man of science. 
  • Social media is triggering ‘Fear of Missing Out’ amongst the youth, precipitating depression and loneliness.
  • Nearly all men can stand adversity, but to test the character, give him power.
  • All ideas having large consequences are always simple.
  • The cost of being wrong is less than the cost of doing nothing. 
2023
  • Thinking is like a game, it does not begin unless there is an opposite team. 
  • A society that has more justice is a society that needs less charity. 
2022
  • Forests are the best case studies for economic excellence.
  • Poets are the unacknowledged legislators of the world. 
  • A society that has more justice is one that needs less charity.
  • You cannot step twice in the same river.
2021
  • The process of self-discovery has now been technologically outsourced.
  • Your perception of me is a reflection of you; my reaction to you is an awareness of me. 
  • A smile is the chosen vehicle for all ambiguities.
  • What is research, but a blind date with knowledge! 
2020
  • Life is a long journey between human being and being humane.
  • Mindful manifesto is the catalyst to a tranquil self.
  • Culture is what we are, civilization is what we have.
  • Technology as the silent factor in international relations. 
2019
  • Wisdom finds truth.
  • Values are not what humanity is, but what humanity ought to be. 
  • Best for an individual is not necessarily best for the society.
  • Rise of Artificial Intelligence: the threat of jobless future or better job opportunities through reskilling and upskilling. 

UPSC Mains Essay PYQs Download Last 5 Years

Candidates preparing for UPSC can boost their essay writing practice by referring to the official UPSC Mains Essay Previous Year Question Papers (PYQs). Below is the year-wise list from 2025 to 2021 with the download status.

Year

Essay Question Paper PDF

Status

2025 UPSC Mains Essay Paper 2025 Download Link
2024 UPSC Mains Essay Paper 2024 Download Link
2023 UPSC Mains Essay Paper 2023 Download Link
2022 UPSC Mains Essay Paper 2022 Download Link
2021 UPSC Mains Essay Paper 2021 Download Link

Key Takeaways from Previous Years UPSC Essay Paper Topics

  1. Philosophical & Abstract Themes Dominate – Metaphors, quotes, and philosophical statements are frequent.
  2. Current Affairs Integrated – Topics often connect with global issues like AI, climate change, democracy, and international relations.
  3. Balanced Approach Needed – Essays must combine facts, examples, and logical arguments with creative expression.
  4. Interdisciplinary Perspective – Topics cut across philosophy, politics, society, science, culture, and ethics.
  5. Practice Matters – Reviewing previous topics helps aspirants understand UPSC’s mindset.

Why is UPSC Essay Paper 2025 PDF important?

Here are details of the importance of UPSC Essay Paper 2025 PDF: 

  • From the PDF, you will get the exact structure of the paper, and the language of the questions will give you an estimate of it.
  • During the preparation, this is a Practice Guide.
  • PDFs can be read and revised anytime, anywhere.

Also Read: UPSC Mains Exam Centres List 2025

Conclusion

UPSC Essay Paper 2025 is not just a paper but a mirror of your thinking ability, command over language, and analytical approach. If you start preparing on time, practice in a structured manner. 

UPSC Essay Paper 2025 FAQs

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In UPSC Essay Paper 2025, candidates are required to write two essays. One essay must be chosen from Section A and the other from Section B.

You can download the UPSC Essay Paper 2025 PDF from the official website upsc.gov.in under the "Examinations → Previous Question Papers" section.

UPSC Essay topics usually include a mix of philosophical, abstract, social, economic, political, scientific, and global issues. Recent years also included topics on artificial intelligence, climate change, democracy, women's empowerment, and education.

To prepare for UPSC Essay Paper 2025, read newspapers and magazines, practice previous year topics, focus on structuring your essay (Introduction, Body, Conclusion), include examples and data, and practice writing 1000–1200 word essays regularly.


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  • Prelims: It has two papers: General Studies and CSAT.
  • Mains: It has nine papers, including essays and optional subjects.
  • Interview: It tests the personality and confidence of the student.

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